Saturday, January 30, 2016

Runes 201 - Individual Runes - Thurisaz

Thurisaz is an incredibly powerful Rune whose meaning is cast in the light of foreboding and negative energy.  However, power is neither positive nor negative.  It is a force and how one manages it determines whether it is positive or negative.  We just need to be careful not to let this great power overwhelm us.

Although Jera is my guiding Rune, to begin 2016, I chose Thurisaz as my Rune for this year.  At first, I thought it was because I wanted to "unleash my power" and be the strong and outspoken woman I was when I was younger.  And I thought I could manage it.  After a bit of a rough start and a bit of reflection, I realized that I needed the power in this Rune to reinvigorate myself, because I had let the daily drudge drag me down.  I did not need to unleash my power, rather simply find it again and embrace it.  So my questions for the Runes around Thurisaz were: How can I use the powerful energy of this Rune to get myself back up on my feet and become more of who I used to be?  How can the power of Thurisaz help me to find my energy and passion?

The three Runes I received in answer to these questions were: Tiwaz, Othala, and Kenaz.  This struck me as following the Norns and here's why.

Tiwaz is the warrior Rune, linked to Tyr.  In this position, Tiwaz is given to me by Urd, the Norn who tells of the past.  This is who I used to be and I say that adding a bit of clarification relative to the present.  Although this is who I was in the past and who I want to be in the future, this is a reminder that Tiwaz still resides within me.  I still show glimmers of Tiwaz everyday, but its prominence has given way to the daily drudge.  This is my reminder to get it back.  Thank you, Urd, for showing me this.

The Rune from Verdandi is Othala, a Rune strongly linked to family (heritage and the homestead).  This is a wonderful Rune, for although I know I am doing this for my family, it is important to get this prompt.  Moreover, for me, this Rune also represents the garden we have (or will have) in our yard.  In that way, Othala provides an additional layer to the idea of doing things for family.  Not only do I want to nurture my relationship with my family (mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), but I want to nurture my family's health (physically).  The garden is an important symbol of that, of overall well-being.  Thank you, Verdandi for showing me the full picture.

Skuld, in her wisdom, shows me my personal yearning.  Although what I am doing is for my family, I must also do what will make me happy as an individual.  By presenting Kenaz, she brings me full circle to the reason that I chose Thurisaz for 2016.  Kenaz, though its meaning is less clear than most Runes, is light, human-made fire.  This represents, for me, human innovation and creativity.  This is what I need to bring back into my life - my creativity.  I need to reconnect with the things that drive my passion.  This is why I need Thurisaz!  I am grateful Skuld, for your insight.

Thurisaz is the powerful force that, used with care and caution, will revive my inner warrior (Tiwaz) by reigniting my creativity and passion (Kenaz), thus helping me to do the same for my family (Othala).